Back in 2011, Sony was the victim of a massive hacking attack that saw the PlayStation Network database breached. In the attack, the hackers made off with details from 77 million accounts including credit card information. The attack resulted in Sony apologizing profusely and offering affected customers free video games and credit-watching services.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has now been hit with a £250,000 fine, which works out to roughly $396,100. The fine levied against Sony was for a "serious breach" of the Data Protection Act. According to authorities in the UK, the April 2011 hack "could have been prevented." The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) also criticized Sony for not having up-to-date security software.

"If you are responsible for so many payment card details and log-in details then keeping that personal data secure has to be your priority," said David Smith, deputy commissioner and director of data protection at the ICO.

Sony says that it "strongly disagrees" with the UK ruling and plans to appeal.

"Criminal attacks on electronic networks are a real and growing aspect of 21st century life and Sony continually works to strengthen our systems, building in multiple layers of defence and working to make our networks safe, secure and resilient," a spokesman Sony added.

Sony says that it has rebuilt its network to make it more secure since the hacks.

The real cost is that there are many people who wont buy a PlayStation again.

I know that I won't. I've bought a PS1, PS2 and PS3, but my next console will probably start with an X.

Mostly because of Sony's pretty poor record, and partly because they as eem to do a better job of stopping me from moving my saved games from a YLOD PS3 to another one than they do of protecting my personal data on their servers.

If they'd made moving my games over easier, they'd have had another PS3 sale and no doubt a few game sales over the last 6 months too, but they really don't seem to care.